Is anyone else starting to think that it's actually legitimately possible that the Nucks might miss the playoffs this year? I'm starting to feel like a meltdown of epic proportions is coming soon to Western Canada.
- Ogilthorpe2

Can anyone picture the Sedins laying out to block a shot? I'm not sure Torts style will work there.

They definitely play the 3rd and 4th line more than most. But, I still didn't think they played them enough. There were games where it seemed Bolland, Kruger, and Fro were on the ice for like 14 min. But it turned out to be 10. I do like what the front office wants and that is smart and skilled players. When you have that you can basically interchange any of them and not miss a beat when injuries happen or to give the other team a matchup hell. In a few years I think we can see 12 forwards play anywhere and produce
- tomcat24

According to that prospects report, we should be able to ice 4 solid second lines in the next season or so.

It is a very long season and having him as strong as he can be for the playoffs is important. I still don't know how I feel about regular season success. The Kings won the Cup as the 8th seed and road team in every series, but I don't think we win the Cup this year without home ice, especially against Detroit and Boston
- tomcat24

Against Boston and Detroit, I thought the Hawks played much better on the road than at home. I personally feel more confident when they're on the road.

Against Boston and Detroit, I thought the Hawks played much better on the road than at home. I personally feel more confident when they're on the road.
- NewToHockey

That was definitely true in the past. They liked to put on a show at home and get too cute. I think they will be all business now. I think it depends on what round, too. I realize sometimes home teams feel the pressure in the 1st few games. I think someone said it is harder for home teams to win games 1 and 2 than games 5 and 7. Hawks really took it up a notch after game 3 or 4 in all those series and really took over

Can anyone picture the Sedins laying out to block a shot? I'm not sure Torts style will work there.
- NewToHockey

I really think it all depends on what kind of players he has. I really don't remember Tampa Bay being such a boring, defense-first, shot-blocking team. I thought it was more about offense. I think with the players he had on the Rangers, he figured that was the best way to compete. I am curious what he does with the firepower on Vancouver

I really think it all depends on what kind of players he has. I really don't remember Tampa Bay being such a boring, defense-first, shot-blocking team. I thought it was more about offense. I think with the players he had on the Rangers, he figured that was the best way to compete. I am curious what he does with the firepower on Vancouver
- tomcat24

On the other side of the coin, how will the Rangers look this year? It will be an interesting start to the season to see what effect that coaching swap has.

On the other side of the coin, how will the Rangers look this year? It will be an interesting start to the season to see what effect that coaching swap has.
- NewToHockey

That's for sure. They still don't look to have a lot of offense but as long as they have King Henrik they should be competitve

Had this conversation with Eli last night and the Western Conference is a three dog race...

Chicago, St Louis, & LA.....maybe the Sharks round out the top 4


then its...

Casucks...
MInnesota.....
Anaheim...
....and whichever teams lands in the eight spot.....


And in the east....its the Senators all the way.....

Just a observation, but the Hawks are 3-0-2 in the pre season. looking like the start of last season. I know it's pre season and it means nothing, but the trend continues. This organization just does not like to lose. NHL'ers or AHL'ers it does not matter. Just have to say I can not wait for 10/1! Go Hawks!!!!

Had this decision with Eli last night and the Western Conference is a three dog race...

Chicago, St Louis, & LA.....maybe the Sharks round out the top 4


then its...

Casucks...
MInnesota.....
Anaheim...
....and whichever teams lands in the eight spot.....


And in the east....its the Senators all the way.....
- UnnamedSource

That was you who said the Senators all the way.

That was you who said the Senators all the way.
- EKolb13

Strong team with depth and well coached

Strong team with depth and well coached
- UnnamedSource

Boston is still a strong team out in that Conference. Detroit is better than last season (on paper). They really could do some damage in the East.

Boston is still a strong team out in that Conference. Detroit is better than last season (on paper). They really could do some damage in the East.
- EKolb13

I will agree.....Detroit will be tough and they could play each other in the Eastern conference finals....Boston will be good but if you look at the trend over the past few years of the team that lost the stanley cup it's not good....

2009 Detroit.....made the play off every year since but other than almost upsetting the Hawks last year never made a dent in the post season...

2010 Flyers....never made it back to the EC finals and didn't make the play offs last year

2011 Vancouver.......First round losses in each season since

2012 New Jersey....didn't make the play offs last year....

Boston is still a strong team out in that Conference. Detroit is better than last season (on paper). They really could do some damage in the East.
- EKolb13

Both Boston and Detroit are in the same division with Ottawa as well. Sens are good, but it will be a tough road for them. I hope they make it! But I sure would like to see a Chicago Detroit SCF! That would be great!!

I don't know how true this is or how reputable of a source this is, but this is interesting...

Maxim Shalunov (F) from Traktor Chelyabinsk to Rockford IceHogs http://t.co/MEzR7VUkSE #twittpuck

— Hockey Transfers (@EliteTransfers) September 27, 2013

Both Boston and Detroit are in the same division with Ottawa as well. Sens are good, but it will be a tough road for them. I hope they make it! But I sure would like to see a Chicago Detroit SCF! That would be great!!
- PaulNewman

I mentioned a Wings/Hawks SCF when talking to UnnamedSource last night.

Also, check your PM's.

Against Boston and Detroit, I thought the Hawks played much better on the road than at home. I personally feel more confident when they're on the road.
- NewToHockey

I understand your point; I'm just as confident about them on the road as at home. One of the most impressive games they played in last year's post-season was the road game against the Kings without Keith. I think the more important aspect about having a strong regular season is who they play rather than having home ice. Having the bigger teams knock themselves silly in the early rounds helped, I think. At least last year.

I mentioned a Wings/Hawks SCF when talking to UnnamedSource last night.

Also, check your PM's.
- EKolb13

The Shalunov stuff is awesome...Q mentioned him earlier this week....could be why they chose to put Beach on waivers.

I mentioned a Wings/Hawks SCF when talking to UnnamedSource last night.

Also, check your PM's.
- EKolb13

As you can tell and with the comments I've about what it means to win the AHL scoring title as well....I'm a trend and odds kinda guy...

I think they eventually take the easy way out and send him down. Saying he needs more time to get used to north america etc... I thought he looked good, especially with Kruger. They seem to have chemistry. But who gets cut, then? Morin and Hayes have looked good, too.
- tomcat24

I think the best players ready to play will be there.

With that said, you all had to be impressed with Morin's shot.

I thought I saw the most brain farts from B Smith with poor decisions and not securing and advance the bisquit properly, but again it may be all about which guys are suspectible to being picked off wavier due to being veteran guys, where Nordqvist isn't, which might make him the odd man out, if they truly think things are close.

When I hear Foley saying the Hawks think it is an adventure when Morin has the puck, that tells me that there is bad along with good and he might be on his way back to the Rockford. On my way to Denver in the morning....

That depends. What is the goal? To have the best possible success in the regular season? In that case, it does not make the Hawks better.

If the goal is to have the best chance for success in the playoffs, resting Hossa now and giving more NHL game experience to the kids could very well be to the Hawks' benefit.
- NewToHockey

Regular season success and home ice advantage is pretty important. Since making the playoffs in 2009, the Hawks have not lost one series in which they had home ice. They have a 1-3 record when starting series on the road. Regular season success is the best chance for success in the playoffs.

Had this conversation with Eli last night and the Western Conference is a three dog race...

Chicago, St Louis, & LA.....maybe the Sharks round out the top 4


then its...

Casucks...
MInnesota.....
Anaheim...
....and whichever teams lands in the eight spot.....


And in the east....its the Senators all the way.....
- UnnamedSource

You're on this bandwagon too? People did watch them play the Pens right? The team that got killed by the team that got beat in the Finals. I have absolutely no faith in Erik Karlsson and Jason Spezza carrying a team in the playoffs. The Penguins and Bruins are the class of the East.

Interesting study - not exactly comparable as it is NFL versus NHL, but 26% of all discectomies resulted in the players not ever returning to play, and for the 74% who did, the average length of career post surgery was three years.

http://www.scholars.north...&id=77957282705&u_id=1037
- Return of the Roar

See: Daze, E.

See: Daze, E.
- John Jaeckel

Bingo, Ringo!

...and Hossa was tied for 2nd.

Top 5 Hawk Goal Scorers in the 2013 Playoffs...

Sharp (my guy ) 10
Kane/Hossa 9 each
Bickell 7
Shawzer 5
- Ogilthorpe2

Hold on....Stalberg wasn't in the top 5? And they still won? Was it a dream?